About us
Our repertoire is wide and varied. Like most male voice choirs the music is chosen to suit the range of voices and the ability of the Choir. We still sings some traditional pieces as well as a more up-to-date repertoire. We are divided in to four parts: Tenor One; Tenor Two; Baritones and Basses. Most of our music too is in four parts but sometimes only two parts and once in a while five or six. We are a Portsmouth choir, based in Havant but have members from all over Hampshire and West Sussex. We sing for fun! Our MD is Welsh and we sig some songs in Welsh.
That is when we become the Solent Côr Meibion Hyawdl
The Choir is a registered charity with Trustees overseeing the running of the Choir. It is managed by a small committee (many of whom are Trustees) who arrange concerts in a variety of venues in the area as well as occasionally joining with other choirs.
To find out more about joining us, or if you would like to book us, click a button below.
Meet Our Music Team
Huw Thomas
Our Musical Director.
Born in Llanelli,South Wales Huw studied music at the local grammar school where he played piano, organ and trumpet and sang in the choir. Huw emerged from Bath University with a BA Honours in Music. He studied and gained his diploma as Associate of the Royal College of Music. A teaching post at Tiffins Boys School, Kingston led to promotion as director of music at Bishop Luffa School,Chichester.
Huw joined the SMVC in September, 2018 and has enjoyed playing the diverse range of music in the choir’s repertoire…” reminds me of my younger days listening to dad singing with the Llanelli Male Voice Choir ” he says.
Canon Tom Kennar
Accompanist (and our President)
Tom is our President. He took up his post at "vibrant" old Havant Church to become the parish priest for St Faith’s Church, in the centre of Havant, and St Nicholas Church, Langstone in February 2015. He was an area dean for Portsmouth, and has substantial connections with churches in West Africa, where he is the Honorary Canon of two cathedrals in Ghana, Cape Coast and Ho (Volta Region).
As well as being the Rector of St Faith's Tom is an accomplished musician and singer.
He has added to his busy workload by becoming the Solent Male Voice Choir's accompanist.
SMVC Trustees and Committee Members
Trustees
Choristers
First Tenors
Naveed Akhtar
Arthur Brameld
Rob Clark-Ford
Stan Lewis
John Rees
Harry Woodroof
Section Leaders in bold
Baritones
Bob Burman
David Harris
Ron Hargest
Maurice Lillie
David McVittie
Colin Rampton
Brian Riggs
Enrique Vela
Peter Weller
John Wright
Basses
Ian Bartle
Rob Floyd
Colin Hunt
Leon Naveed
Martin Paton
David Stretton
Graham Wood
Click on Section Leaders to send them an email.
We have three Life Members: Stan Lewis, Brian Goff, Trevor Jenkins
Two honorary Life Members: Cherie Lewis and Margaret Goff
SMVC has performed
and sung to help raise funds for many charities including:
Save the Children UK
Step-by-Step
St. Wilfred's Hospice
The Elizabeth Foundation
The Cure Parkinson's Trust
Shelter
Guide Dogs for the Blind
Rowan's Hospice
The Rosemary Foundation
Brighton and Hove Hospitals
QA Hospital Ricky Appeal
The Marie Curie Trust
SANDS Neonatal Bereavement
St Faith's BIG BUILD Fund
RNLI
If you are a charity or community group and would like raise funds by organising an event that could feature the Solent Male Voice Choir please CLICK HERE to find out how we could help.
